Sorry, I don't buy that excuse about not taking that passage literally. If a belief system has any self consistency at all, then its writings may interpret themselves. We say that about the Holy Scriptures all the time. And the Koran (or Quran, or however you spell it) repeatedly says, "Fight" and "Kill."

The Aussies have already told Muslims in their country: Observe the customs of a pluralistic society, or get out. We need to say the same. Once again, I ask: Where is our White House Conference, or Presidential Commission, or Senate Select Committee, on Religious Ideals and their Consequences?